SCOTLAND

Economic Situation

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent assessment he has made of the implications for (a) his Department's policies and (b) the Scottish economy of trends in retail expenditure.

Michael Moore: Latest retail sales figures from the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), published earlier this month, show an expected decrease for May following on from an increase in April. The SRC indicates this was a consequence of an extra bank holiday, the royal wedding and warm weather in April. Latest business surveys, such as the Bank of Scotland June purchasing managers index (PMI), indicate that the Scottish economy has been growing in the first five months of the year. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) continues to back the Government's consolidation plans and advises against changing course.

High Speed Rail

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Transport and (b) Scottish Ministers on the potential extension of high-speed rail to Scotland.

Michael Moore: The Government remain committed to a truly national high-speed rail network, which will be delivered in phases. I met with the Secretary of State for Transport on 13 July and discussed a range of issues, including new high-speed rail services for Scotland, and both I and the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, my right hon. Friend the Member for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale (David Mundell), have discussed this issue with Scottish Ministers.

Scottish Retail Consortium

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives from the Scottish Retail Consortium; and what matters were discussed.

Michael Moore: There is regular contact at official level with the Scottish Retail Consortium on a wide range of issues and the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, my right hon. Friend the Member for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale (David Mundell), met the organisation last year to discuss challenges facing the sector. We continue to pursue regular engagement with the retail sector at ministerial and official level.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Government Procurement Card

Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's publication of Government Procurement Card data for 2008 to 2010, 
	(1)  what the purpose and function was of (a) the £1,119 restaurant meal at Bank Restaurant, London in October 2008, (b) the £700 restaurant meal at Bodrum in April 2008, (c) the £159 restaurant meal at Boisdales in April 2008, (d) the £82 meal at Boisdales in March 2009, (e) the £169 restaurant meal at Kazan in September 2008 and (f) the £111 meal at Kazan in November 2008;
	(2)  what the purpose and function was of (a) the £814 restaurant meals at Brasserie 44 in 2008, (b) the £345 restaurant meals at Boisdales in December 2009, (c) the £377 restaurant meal at Formans in January 2010, (d) the £490 restaurant meal at Gran Paradiso in December 2009, (e) the £104 restaurant meal at Olivomare in June 2008 and (f) the £127 restaurant meal at Sardo in March 2009;
	(3)  what the purpose and function was of (a) the £195 of expenditure on leisure activities at the Royal Kings Arms on 10 June 2008, (b) the £232 of expenditure on leisure activities at Electric Mountain on 14 April 2008 and (c) the £245 leisure activities event at Pump House in July 2008;
	(4)  what the purpose and function was of (a) the £522 restaurant meal at L'Atelier in Brussels in October 2008, (b) the £78 restaurant meal at Shepherds in April 2009, (c) the £517 restaurant meal at the Haunch of Venison in December 2009, (d) the £1344 restaurant meal at The National Cafe in January 2009 and (e) the £97 restaurant meals at The Wolseley in (i) December 2008 and (ii) June 2009;
	(5)  what the purpose and function was of (a) the £361 spent on London Ducktours in May 2008, (b) the £2006 event at the Museum of London in November 2009, (c) the £575 event at the National Maritime Museum in September 2009 and (d) the £598 visit to the Royal National Theatre in August 2008; and who attended each event;
	(6)  what the purpose and function was of (a) the £150 bar bill at the Princess Alice in November 2009 and (b) the purchases at the Cinnamon Club between November 2008 and March 2010;
	(7)  what the purpose and function was of (a) the £291 restaurant meal at The Narrow in June 2009, (b) the £522 restaurant meal at Yong An Xianqiangfang in Shanghai in November 2008, (c) the £200 restaurant meal at Rummer Hotel in July 2009;
	(8)  what the purpose and function was of (a) the £500 event procured via Gruppo Events Ltd in January 2009, (b) the £904 event procured via Kudos Hospitality Ltd in March 2010 and (c) the £1304 event procured via Leiths in October 2008.

Bob Neill: The purpose and function of selected items of expenditure purchased on Government Procurement Cards used by the Department have been tabulated for ease of reference and deposited in the Library of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum: EU Countries

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment Frontex has made of the risk of irregular migration into the EU in 2011; and how many asylum applications it recorded in the southern European countries of the EU in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010.

Damian Green: The Frontex annual risk analysis 2011 report published in May 2011 proposes that regular passenger flows across the external EU borders will increase in 2011 due to rising global mobility, possible visa liberalisation procedures for the EU's eastern European partners and new local border traffic agreements along the eastern borders.
	Frontex assesses that the most likely high-pressure points for illegal border crossings in 2011-12 will be along the Mediterranean coast and the land border with Turkey. Migrants with relatively easy access to Turkey or north Africa will continue to typify the flow.
	Frontex recorded 219,814 applications for international protection in the EU in 2009 and 203,880 for 2010. Frontex does not publish figures broken down by individual member states or groups of countries. The figure excludes applications made in inland France.

Fixed Penalties

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has for the future range of offences for which a (a) fixed penalty notice and (b) penalty notice for disorder may be issued; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Herbert: A fixed penalty notice can be issued for any offence in respect of a vehicle that has been made a fixed penalty offence by order of the Secretary of State for the Home Department. Fixed penalty offences are kept under continuous review and additions are made as appropriate. The Government’s new strategic framework for road safety, issued in May, proposed that the offence of careless driving should be made a fixed penalty offence. Subject to impact assessment and regulatory clearance, we expect this to come into effect in 2012.
	The offences for which a PND can be issued are likewise kept under review. As set out in the Green Paper “Breaking the Cycle: Effective punishment, rehabilitation and sentencing of offenders”, the Ministry of Justice will be consulting on a limited further extension of the PND scheme. The proposed additional offences will include minor disorder offences committed in Royal Parks for which PNDs are currently not available, as well as other low-level disorder offences that may be appropriate to be dealt with by a PND.

Garages and Petrol Stations: Theft

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of driving away from filling stations without payment were reported to police forces in each month since May 2010; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Herbert: This information is not collected centrally.
	Offences of making off without payment are included in the Home Office offence classification ‘Preserved other fraud and repealed fraud offences (pre Fraud Act 2006)’ and cannot be separately identified from other offences within that classification.

Hizb ut-Tahrir

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information her Department holds on the countries which have banned the organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir; and what account she takes of the positions of such countries in determining her policy on Hizb ut-Tahrir in the UK.

James Brokenshire: We understand that Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT) is subject to some form of ban in Bangladesh, Egypt, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.
	HuT is an organisation about which the Government have significant concerns. We keep its activities under close review. In doing so, the Secretary of State for the Home Department takes into account information about HuT's activities in other countries, including the position taken by foreign Governments.
	However, the basis on which groups can be banned in other countries is not necessarily the same as the basis on which groups can be proscribed in the UK. A group can be proscribed in the UK only if the Secretary of State believes it is “concerned in terrorism” within the meaning of the Terrorism Act 2000. Some countries ban all political groups; other countries ban groups that are considered to be seditious, extremist or otherwise unacceptable. Germany, for example, has banned HuT on grounds relating to holocaust denial and anti-Semitism.

Human Rights Act 1998

Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has given consideration to the effect on naturists of any potential changes to the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Jonathan Djanogly: I have been asked to reply.
	The Human Rights Act 1998 applies to all people equally, whatever their lifestyle. The Government have established an independent commission to consider the case for a UK Bill of Rights and the commission has announced that it is establishing a work plan which will include consultation with the public. I therefore expect that there will be an opportunity for any concerns about the impact of potential changes to be raised with the commission.

Offences Against Children

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of (a) girls groomed for sexual exploitation and (b) perpetrators of child sexual exploitation in the latest period for which figures are available.

James Brokenshire: Data on offences are held by the Ministry of Justice and the following table gives the latest available data in relation to cautions, prosecutions and convictions for child sex offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, the Children Act 1989 and the Child Abduction Act 1984 in England and Wales.
	The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) has conducted a thematic assessment on child sexual exploitation. The report was published on 29 June 2011 and we are now considering its findings.
	
		
			 Offenders cautioned and defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for selected offences, England and Wales, 2004-09  (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 
			   2007 2008  (6) 2009 
			 Statute Description Cautioned Proceeded against Found guilty Cautioned Proceeded against Found guilty Cautioned Proceeded against Found guilty 
			 Sexual offences Act 2003           
			 Section 5 Rape of a child  under 13 25 300 134 23 317 179 14 444 180 
			 Section 6 Assault of a child by penetration under 13 7 130 75 9 166 88 24 190 89 
			 Section 7 Sexual Assault of a child under 13 135 582 344 115 522 355 94 876 321 
			 Section 8 Causing or inciting child under 13 to engage in sexual activity 30 101 68 22 106 80 14 138 77 
			 Section 9 Sexual Activity with a child 299 682 592 267 720 641 255 944 678 
			 Section 10 Causing or inciting child to engage in sexual activity 49 142 86 67 179 99 64 205 108 
			 Section 11 Engaging in a sexual activity in the presence of a child 16 77 59 9 65 63 10 78 63 
			 Section 12 Causing a child to watch a sexual act 13 23 17 11 20 21 13 18 18 
			 Section 14 Arranging or Facilitating a child sexual offence 4 32 18 4 19 15 2 25 17 
			 Section 47 Paying for the sexual services of a child 1 7 3 — 3 3 2 3 5 
			 Section 48 Causing or inciting child prostitution or pornography — 2 4 — 13 7 2 12 8 
			 Section 49 Controlling a child prostitute or a child involved in pornography 1 2 1 1 — 1 — 1 1 
			 Section 50 Arranging or facilitating child prostitution or pornography — — 1 — — 2 — 6 1 
			            
			 Child Abduction Act 1984           
			 Section 2 Offence of abduction of child by other persons 17 99 52 10 87 48 9 116 50 
			            
			 Children Act 1989           
			 Section 49 Abduction of children in care and inducing, inciting or assisting a child to run away 12 25 13 15 41 26 9 44 27 
			 (1) The cautions statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When an offender has been cautioned for two or more offences at the same time, the principal offence is the more serious offence. From 1 June 2000, the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and warnings. These figures have been included in the totals. (2) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (4) The number of defendants found guilty in a particular year may exceed the number proceeded against as the proceedings in the magistrates court took place in an earlier year and the defendants were found guilty at the Crown court in the following year; or the defendants were found guilty of a different offence to that for which they were originally proceeded against. (5) The Sexual Offences Act 2003 came into force on 1 May 2004. (6) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services: Ministry of Justice.

Police and Crime Commissioners

Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to publish the responses to her Department's consultation on proposals for elected police and crime commissioners.

Theresa May: The ‘Policing in the 21(st) century: reconnecting police and the people’ summary of consultation responses and next steps was published in December 2010. A copy is in the Library of the House.

Police: Incentives

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information her Department holds on whether bonuses have been (a) offered to and (b) accepted by senior police officers in Lancashire constabulary in each of the last two years.

Nick Herbert: holding answer 28 June 2011
	The offer and payment of bonuses to chief officers is a matter for the police authority, working within the agreed national framework. The Home Office does not gather information from police authorities on bonuses.
	However, figures for bonuses paid to Lancashire's chief officer team are shown in the force's accounts, which are published on the police authority website.

Sexual Offences: Yorkshire

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will support the creation of a sexual assault and rape centre for north Yorkshire and York; and if she will make a statement.

Lynne Featherstone: The Home Office provided North Yorkshire police with a grant of £75,000 in December 2010 to develop a sexual assault referral centre. The Department of Health provided a further £30,000. Sexual assault referral centres are partnerships between police authorities and NHS primary care trusts. They are local partnerships and local areas are best placed to decide what level of service they require and what model is best to deliver that.
	The Government are committed to tackling sexual offences and, as part of our violence against women strategy, are providing £28 million directly to specialist services over the next four years.

Stalking

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has any plans to bring forward legislative proposals to create an offence of stalking.

Lynne Featherstone: Stalking behaviour can be prosecuted under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. My Department, working with the Ministry of Justice, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), continues to keep the effectiveness of this legislation under review.

West Midlands Police: Manpower

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many police constables West Midlands police employed in each of the last three years for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many police officers were assigned to duties in Coventry in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many such officers she expects to be assigned to such duties in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13.

Nick Herbert: The available figures show the number of police constables in West Midlands police force in 2008, 2009 and 2010 as at 31 March (full-time equivalent figures). The second table shows police officer strength in the following basic command units which Coventry covers: West Midlands M1, West Midlands M2 and West Midlands M3 as at 31 March 2010 (full-time equivalents).
	Decisions about the size and deployment of the police workforce are a matter for chief constables to take locally in conjunction with their police authority and, from May 2012, their police and crime commissioner. Therefore estimates for the number of police officers for 2011-12 and 2012-13 are not available centrally.
	
		
			 Police constable strength fo  r 2008, 2009 and 2010 as at 31 M  arch for West Midlands police force 
			 Full-time equivalents  (1) 
			  Police constables in West Midlands police 
			 2008 6,816 
			 2009 7,002 
			 2010 6,960 
			 (1) This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. 
		
	
	
		
			 Police officer strength by   basic command unit  , 31 March 2010 for West Midlands police force  (1) 
			 Full-time equivalents 
			 Police Force BCU Police officers 
			 West Midlands West Midlands M1 309 
			  West Midlands M2 252 
			  West Midlands M3 265 
			 (1) These figures are based on full-time equivalents that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Note: Figures include those officers on career breaks.

West Midlands Police: Overtime

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many overtime hours were paid to (a) warranted officers and (b) civilian staff of West Midlands police in each of the last three years; and what the total cost to the public purse was of such overtime in each such year.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not hold information on the number of overtime hours paid to warranted officers and civilian staff in West Midlands police.
	For data on the total cost of overtime to West Midlands police for each of the last three years, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Priti Patel) on 25 October 2010, Official Report, columns 79-84W.

JUSTICE

Courts: CCTV

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on the provision of closed circuit television in courts.

Jonathan Djanogly: It is the policy of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service to seek to provide closed circuit television in courts for the safety of court users, employees and judicial office holders and operated in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Information Commissioner’s code of practice for closed circuit television.
	Where it is not possible to install closed circuit television in a given court, or in particular areas of the court, an appropriate risk assessment must be undertaken at the location to ensure effective measures are in place to provide a secure environment for all court users.

Data Protection Act 1998

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the level of compliance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 by insurance companies and others providing details of claims to claims management companies.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is the independent body responsible for regulating the Data Protection Act 1998.
	It would not be appropriate for the Government to comment on the ICO's investigations in individual cases. However, I understand that it is the ICO position that if insurance companies were selling personal data to claims management companies without clearly informing the individuals concerned, this would breach the first data protection principle and therefore be in breach of the Act. The ICO is discussing with the Association of British Insurers the industry's practice in relation to referral fees.
	The ICO is also currently investigating complaints concerning spam text messages about accidents under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

Departmental Legal Costs

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2011, Official Report, columns 511-12W, on departmental legal costs, if he will place in the Library a copy of the submission made by HM Revenue and Customs to his Department’s consultation on reform of civil litigation funding and costs.

Jonathan Djanogly: As indicated in my answer of 10 June 2011, Official Report, columns 511-12W, discussions are continuing with officials in HM Revenue and Customs on the impact of civil litigation funding and costs reform on insolvency litigation. I believe that disclosure of internal papers could prejudice these discussions. Therefore, I am minded not to publish HMRC’s submission.

Judges: Housing

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2011, Official Report, column 512W, what the cost to the public purse was of judges’ lodgings in each location in 2009-10.

Kenneth Clarke: The following table shows the cost of judges’ lodgings in each location for 2009-10.
	
		
			 Location Cost (£) 
			 Birmingham 494,600 
			 Bristol 210,800 
			 Caernarfon 13,600 
			 Cambridge 18,700 
			 Cardiff 255,200 
			 Carlisle 15,900 
			 Chelmsford 197,800 
			 Chester 231,900 
			 Exeter 44,600 
			 Hull 37,800 
			 Leeds 433,400 
			 Leicester 27,200 
			 Lewes 49,100 
			 Lincoln 3,900 
			 Liverpool 276,400 
			 Maidstone 101,100 
			 Manchester 314,800 
			 Northampton 650,000 
			 Norwich 146,600 
			 Nottingham 231,800 
			 Oxford 12,600 
			 Plawsworth (Chester le Street) 340,000 
			 Plymouth 22,400 
			 Preston 249,000 
			 Reading 85,300 
			 Sheffield 265,200 
			 St Albans 226,800 
			 Stafford 17,400 
			 Swansea 188,700 
			 Truro 74,800 
			 Warwick 6,600 
			 Winchester 240,700 
			 Woolwich 45,500 
			 Worcester 32,600 
			 Total 4.9 million

Legal Aid

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information his Department holds on the (a) absolute cost and (b) cost per head of population of legal aid systems in other countries.

Jonathan Djanogly: The research report “International comparison of publicly funded legal services and justice systems” provides robust comparisons of legal aid spending in England and Wales and a selection of European and non-European countries, as well as an assessment of the difficulties of international comparisons in this area. It is published on the Ministry of Justice website at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/comparison-public-fund-legal-services-justice-systems.pdf
	In addition, the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) publishes reports on “European judicial systems: Efficiency and quality of justice” which are updated every two years. These reports contain a range of information on judicial systems, including legal aid, for a broad selection of European countries. The latest report is available at:
	http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/cooperation/cepej/evaluation/default_en.asp

Offenders: Training

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  with reference to his Department's Green Paper, “Breaking the Cycle: Effective Punishment, Rehabilitation and Sentencing of Offenders”, page 56, paragraph 193, what progress his Department has made in creating a new test to focus indefinite imprisonment under indeterminate sentences for public protection on those who clearly pose a very serious risk of future harm;
	(2)  with reference to his Department's Green Paper, “Breaking the Cycle: Effective Punishment, Rehabilitation and Sentencing of Offenders”, which crimes will no longer be eligible for indeterminate sentences for public protection as a result of his proposed changes.

Kenneth Clarke: We will be conducting an urgent review of sentencing for serious sexual and violent offenders, with a view to replacing the current IPP regime with a determinate sentencing framework, which would be better understood by the public and command greater confidence. The review will also cover detention for public protection, the equivalent sentence to an IPP for juveniles.

Personal Injury: Applications

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on the implementation of the recommendation of Lord Justice Jackson on payments of referral fees for personal injury claims.

Jonathan Djanogly: I will provide the hon. Gentleman with a response as soon as possible.

Prison Service: Contracts

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which prisons his Department is considering for market testing; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: I will provide the hon. Lady with a reply as soon as possible.

Risk Assessment

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether a risk assessment was undertaken as part of the transfer of HMP Birmingham to G4S.

Crispin Blunt: The National Offender Management Service has undertaken an ongoing and thorough assessment of risk regarding the competition and mobilisation of HMP Birmingham. The risk management process in place is compliant with departmental and governmental best practice.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Architecture: Finance

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  how much grant in aid funding his Department allocated to architecture in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12;
	(2)  how much grant in aid funding his Department allocated to the funding of design in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12;

Jeremy Hunt: My Department gave grant in aid to the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) for the promotion of education or high standards in, and appreciation of, architecture and the design of the built environment. The amount CABE received from 2009 to 2012 (excluding the sea change grant programme) is in the following table:
	
		
			  £000 
			 2009-10 4,789 
			 2010-11 4,690 
			 2011-12 3,523 
		
	
	The grant in aid in 2011-12 is primarily for CABE's costs of closure.
	Arts Council England allocates grant in aid to its regularly funded organisations through the sub-art form classifier ‘Architecture/landscape/environmental art' and the 2009-12 figures are in the following table:
	
		
			 £ 
			  2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 Architecture Centre Network 122,489 125,167 116,530 
			 Kielder Partnership 40,185 41,064 38,230 
			 Made 34,241 34,989 32,575 
			 Northern Architecture 44,652 44,429 41,363 
			 The Architecture Foundation 114,610 114,037 106,168 
			 The Bristol Centre for the Advancement of Architecture Ltd 55,677 56,894 52,968 
			 Total 411,854 416,580 387,834 
		
	
	Design does not receive grant in aid from my Department.

Commercialisation and Sexualisation of Childhood

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with Ofcom on the recommendations of the Bailey review of the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood.

Jeremy Hunt: I have had no discussions. However, my Department will continue to work closely with the Department for Education in relation to the recommendations of the Bailey review, including those relevant to Ofcom.

Commercialisation and Sexualisation of Childhood

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the recommendations of the Bailey review on the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood.

Jeremy Hunt: While I have had no specific discussions, the ministerial statement made by the Minister of State for Children and Families on 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 8WS, made clear the Government's position. Furthermore, my officials have been liaising closely with the Department for Education with regard to the Government's proposals to monitor the implementation of the Bailey review's recommendations.

Film Innovation Fund

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which body is responsible for allocation of the film innovation fund; and when the funding will be disbursed.

Jeremy Hunt: All lottery film funding, including funding for innovation, is now the responsibility of the British Film Institute (BFI). The role of innovation in supporting British film is being considered as part of the current film policy review.

Ofcom

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 136W, on Ofcom, when he plans to publish Ofcom's report on the workability of sections 17 and 18 of the Digital Economy Act 2010.

Jeremy Hunt: As I informed the hon. Gentleman on 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 136W, we have received the report on the workability of sections 17 and 18 of the Digital Economy Act and will publish it in due course. We need to give it proper consideration before responding.

Sports: Betting

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when his Department plans to implement the outcome of its investigation into using cash in dormant betting accounts to set up a capital fund to improve local sports facilities and support sports clubs.

Jeremy Hunt: The right hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster) has completed his review of whether money lying in dormant betting accounts and from unclaimed winnings could be used to improve sports facilities and delivered his report to the Government in December 2010. The Minister responsible for tourism and heritage, my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (John Penrose), is considering the report in detail and will decide on the next steps after the Government have reached a conclusion on the regulatory future of remote gambling.

Sports: VAT

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will provide assistance to sport clubs and teams adversely affected by the treatment for VAT purposes by HM Revenue and Customs of sports league block bookings.

Hugh Robertson: I commissioned a report by the Sport and Recreation Alliance on reducing bureaucracy in sports. The recommendations are being considered and officials have had discussions with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). However, VAT policy is a matter for HMRC.

TREASURY

Arch Cru

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the merits of initiating an investigation into the role of Capita Financial Group in relation to the collapse of Arch Cru funds.

Mark Hoban: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is responsible for the regulation of financial services firms and operates independently from the Government under the powers given to it in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. HM Treasury sets the legal framework for the regulation of financial services, but does not have investigative or prosecuting powers of its own.
	On 21 June 2011, the FSA announced a £54 million package for investors in Arch Cru funds. Established voluntarily by Capita Financial Managers Limited, BNY Mellon Trust, Depositary UK Limited and HSBC Bank plc, this package will be used to make payments to eligible investors in Arch Cru funds, and will assist the return of a substantial part of their investment to them. Capita Financial Managers has committed to contact investors with further information before the end of August.

Aviation: Pollution Control

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal steps his Department is taking to incentivise the aviation industry to (a) reduce aircraft noise, (b) reduce carbon dioxide emissions and (c) improve its economic competitiveness.

Justine Greening: Aviation will join the EU emission trading system from January 2012. The aviation sector in the UK will thus begin to take greater responsibility for its carbon emissions and impact on the global environment.
	The Government also undertook a consultation on the UK's air passenger duty from 23 March to 17 June 2011. The Government will consider the views and evidence submitted by interested parties and will publish a summary of responses in the autumn.

Banks: Finance

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the distribution to the public of shares in banks in which UK Financial Investments manages the stake owned by the Government.

Mark Hoban: UK Financial Investments (UKFI) manages the Government's shareholding in financial institutions at an arm's length and commercial basis. UKFI's objective is to dispose of the investments in an orderly and active manner, within the context of an overarching objective of protecting and creating value for the taxpayer.
	UKFI will look at the full range of alternatives for divestment and make recommendations based on market conditions, on an assessment of investor demand and on value for money considerations at the time when considering a transaction.

Banks: Finance

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to his Department of (a) distributing to the public shares in banks in which UK Financial Investments manages the stake owned by the Government and (b) continuing to manage the Government's stake in such banks through UK Financial Investments.

Mark Hoban: UK Financial Investments (UKFI) has been set up to manage the Government's shareholding in financial institutions. UKFI's objective is to dispose of the investments in an orderly and active manner, within the context of an overarching objective of protecting and creating value for the taxpayer.
	The Treasury and UKFI are continuing to assess all potential options to realise value for taxpayers through the disposal of these shares and will explore the distribution of shares to the public alongside ongoing preparations for other disposal options.

Banks: Finance

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any HM Treasury officials are working exclusively on the proposal that people on the electoral role may be given shares in the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group.

Mark Hoban: UK Financial Investments (UKFI) manages the Government's shareholding in Lloyds Banking Group and the Royal Bank of Scotland. UKFI's objective is to dispose of the investments in an orderly and active manner, within the context of an overarching objective of protecting and creating value for the taxpayer.
	The Treasury and UKFI are continuing to assess all potential options to realise value for taxpayers through the disposal of these shares and will explore the distribution of shares to the public alongside ongoing preparations for other disposal options.

Economic Situation: Greece

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the potential effects of a Greek non-credit event debt renegotiation on (a) UK Financial Investments, (b) the UK financial services sector and (c) the credit default swap market.

Mark Hoban: The UK authorities carry out assessments on a wide range of risks. The Bank of England's financial stability report sets out the impact of key risks on UK Financial Stability.
	UK Financial Investments (UKFI) continually reviews its strategy on the management of the Government investee banks. UKFI looks at the full range of alternatives for the investments, and makes its recommendations based on market conditions, an assessment of investor demand and on value for money considerations.
	Data on external claims of UK-owned monetary financial institutions, and of their branches and subsidiaries abroad, are available on the Bank of England website at:
	http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/statistics/Bankstats/2011/Jun/TabC4.2.xls
	This includes UK banking groups' direct exposures, as well as credit default swaps and other derivatives exposures.

Working Families Tax Credit

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many couples in receipt of working families tax credit made a claim based on working between 16 and 24 hours a week in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Gauke: The latest information on hours worked by claimants of tax credits is available in the HMRC snapshot publication “Child and Working Tax Credits statistics April 2011". This can be found at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-apr11.pdf
	As of April 2011, there were approximately 280,000 couples in receipt of tax credits where the main worker worked between 16 and 24 hours per week.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether his Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate.

Owen Paterson: The Northern Ireland Office has no plans to generate low-carbon energy.
	The Department has, however, taken a number of steps to reduce its carbon footprint. These include reducing the need for travel between London and Belfast through the use of video conferencing facilities, introducing a biomass heating system for Hillsborough castle and installation of solar panels for water heating at Hillsborough castle.

Departmental Official Cars

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost to his Department was of the provision of ministerial cars in each financial year between 2000-01 and 2010-11; how many (a) cars for the exclusive use of Ministers and (b) ministerial car journeys were paid for by his Department in each such year; what the average cost to his Department of a ministerial car journey was in each such year; and what steps his Department has taken to reduce the cost of ministerial cars since his appointment.

Owen Paterson: Information on the cost and number of ministerial cars is published in the annual written ministerial statement, details of which can be found within the Libraries of both Houses:
	2005- 06:
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070726/wmstext/70726m0004.htm
	2006-07:
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070726/wmstext/70726m0004.htm
	2007-08:
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080722/wmstext/80722m0008.htm
	2008-09:
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090716/wmstext/90716m0009.htm
	2009- 10:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/hammond20101028a
	Details of the cost for 2010-11 are being compiled and due for release in July 2011.
	Information prior to 2005 is not available and would be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Information relating to individual ministerial car journeys prior to September 2010 is not available as there was no requirement to collect this data.
	Information relating to the number of ministerial car journeys made since the introduction of the ‘on-demand’ ministerial car service on 6 September 2010 and up until 31 March 2011 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number 
			 September 2010 8 
			 October 2010 23 
			 November 2010 43 
			 December 2010 29 
			 January 2011 27 
			 February 2011 29 
			 March 2011 40 
			 Total 199

Devolution

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Northern Ireland Executive and (b) Prime Minister on the devolution of further powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Owen Paterson: I have had no recent discussions with either the Northern Ireland Executive or the Prime Minister on the devolution of further powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly. We will consider any requests for further devolution that have widespread support in Northern Ireland.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Energy: Meters

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects the framework for the procurement of the first generation of communication and data service contracts to be developed.

Charles Hendry: The strategy for the procurement of first-generation DCC service providers is currently being prepared by officials in DECC, with input from stakeholders as well as Infrastructure UK, which has expertise in large-scale public sector procurement. We intend to complete the strategy and begin the procurement process as soon as is practicable. We will set out further details of the process and the timetable for the procurement process when we are in a position to do so.

Natural Gas

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the potential effects of shale gas extraction in the UK on (a) the amount of renewable electricity generated in the UK, (b) achieving domestic emissions targets and (c) levels of energy security; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Hendry: In the UK, shale gas has not yet been commercially proven. Analysis of the potential effects of extraction on development of renewable energy in the UK, domestic emissions targets and UK energy security would in the circumstances be subject to large uncertainties, so any such assessment would be speculative.

Oil: Reserves

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many barrels of oil the UK sold from its emergency oil reserves in June 2011.

Charles Hendry: The UK Government do not have emergency oil reserves as such. Instead, the UK obligates oil importers and refiners to hold oil stocks that can be supplied to the market to compensate for supply shortages under powers in the Energy Act 1976. In the event of a supply disruption, obligations on individual oil companies are lowered so that they can make these stocks available to the market.
	In response to the International Energy Agency's call for collective release of 60 million barrels, the UK has lowered the compulsory stocking obligations on oil companies by two and a half days to release around 3 million barrels over an initial period of 30 days from 25 June 2011.

Oil: Reserves

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the recent decision by members of the International Energy Agency to release oil reserves for sale.

Charles Hendry: On June 23 the UK joined its partners in the International Energy Agency (IEA) in releasing oil stocks to the market. A total of 60 million barrels of oil was made available to the market over 30 days, with the UK contributing some 3 million barrels.
	The IEA assessed that unrest in Libya had removed 132 million barrels of light, sweet crude from the market by the end of May, and that normal seasonal increase in refiner demand expected for this summer will exacerbate the shortfall further. Greater tightness in the oil market could threaten to undermine the global economic recovery.
	The IEA collective action is intended to complement increases in output already announced by producer countries such as Saudi Arabia. It will help to bridge the gap until sufficient additional oil from them reaches global markets.
	In conjunction with the IEA, the UK will be participating in monitoring the volumes of stock released, both domestically and internationally. Oil stocks are expected to begin to be released to the market from early July.

River Severn: Tidal Power

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Wales and (b) the First Minister of the Welsh Government on his Department's feasibility report on tidal energy systems in the Severn estuary; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Hendry: DECC Ministers and officials have regular discussions with their counterparts in Wales on a range of issues, including tidal energy in the Severn estuary.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Civil Partnerships

Ben Bradshaw: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry), representing the Church Commissioners, where the authority to permit the registration of civil partnerships in churches will reside following the enactment of the Government's legislative proposals.

Tony Baldry: The Church of England response to the Government’s consultation document was submitted on 23 June and endorsed the denominational opting-in mechanism that the Government had proposed. It said that in the case of the Church of England that would mean that churches could not become approved premises for the registration of civil partnerships until and unless the General Synod had first decided as a matter of policy that that would be possible.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Departmental Assets

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether receipts from the sale of assets owned by regional development agencies are reflected in the spending plans of his Department for (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14.

Chris Grayling: Ministerial responsibility for regional development agencies lies with other Government Departments. This Department is not expecting any receipts from the sale of assets owned by these agencies and has therefore not taken account of such receipts in its spending plans for 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Departmental Responsibilities

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department plans to cease to fund any of its functions over the period of the comprehensive spending review.

Chris Grayling: The Department will continue to provide its core functions and deliver services to millions of customers over the period of the spending review. However, the challenging financial settlement for this period means that services and functions will need to be provided more efficiently. The Department will reduce the size of its corporate centre by 40% and plans to realise savings of 25% through streamlining and modernising its frontline activities.
	Measures to reduce the costs of benefits processing will include, for example, shifting from paper to digital- based services, sharing information more efficiently within and between Departments as well as action to tackle fraud and error.
	The Department's structural reform priorities over the spending review period are set out in the business plan.

Efficiency Savings

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what plans he has for efficiency savings in his Department over the next three years; and what estimate he has made of the savings which will accrue from each measure;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of staff in each business unit of his Department who will be (a) made compulsorily redundant, (b) offered early retirement and (c) offered voluntary redundancy in each of the next three years.

Chris Grayling: The Department plans to realise substantial efficiency savings over the period of the spending review through measures which will deliver both savings and improved customer service, as well as focussing its resources on key reforms of the welfare system.
	These plans include a reduction in the size of the corporate centre by up to 40%, primarily driven by an organisational redesign and reductions in contractual spend, for example on estates and IT. There are parallel measures to reduce the costs of benefits processing by 25% through streamlining and modernising frontline activities. These measures include, for example, shifting from paper to digital-based services and sharing information more efficiently within and between Departments. Specific actions to improve the efficiency, ease and speed of the Department's frontline activities are included in the business plan.
	These plans may lead to offers of voluntary exit or voluntary redundancy or, if absolutely necessary, compulsory redundancy at some stage over the next three years. However, at present there are no specific estimates of numbers as these are dependent on various factors, particularly the potential for redeployment of staff in light of future new work relating to the introduction of universal credit.

Employment

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many adults not in receipt of jobseeker's allowance or employment and support allowance and in receipt of an inactive benefit entered employment in the last 12 months after a period of joblessness; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available.
	Claimants leaving benefits are not required to inform the Department of their destinations and hence the information that is collected is incomplete.
	DWP analysts have been investigating the scope for producing regular statistics on benefit destinations, as well as improving consistency of use of this data across the analytical community. The destinations statistics have not been used in the public domain before, mainly because of gaps in coverage, and so are considered not robust enough for external use.

Employment Schemes: Hearing Impairment

David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received from disability organisations on the consideration given to deaf people as part of the proposed Work programme.

Chris Grayling: During the design and tendering stages of the Work programme, DWP received a number of representations from a wide range of providers and customer representative groups. The Department responds to these individually and does not record them by category of disability.

Pensioners: Poverty

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2011, Official Report, columns 495-6W, on pensioners: poverty, whether his Department has previously made any assessment of future trends in pensioner poverty.

Steve Webb: In recent years, the Department has not published assessments of future trends in pensioner poverty. At various times, some internal analysis of possible pensioner poverty trends has been produced as part of advice given to Ministers for the purpose of Government policy formulation.
	At the moment, macroeconomic uncertainty and the Department's significant programme of welfare and pension reform mean that it is not possible to produce any reliable estimate of future trends in pensioner poverty.

Social Fund

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people made more than (a) three and (b) 10 applications to the social fund in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Webb: The information requested is provided as follows.
	
		
			 2009-10 in Great Britain Number of people 
			 Making more than three applications to the discretionary social fund 492,660 
			 Making more than 10 applications to the discretionary social fund 57,700 
			 Notes: 1. ‘Applications to the social fund' has been interpreted as applications to the discretionary social fund as people make a claim rather than an application to the regulated social fund. 2. The discretionary social fund refers to applications made for crisis loans, budgeting loans and community care grants. Applications referred to above can be to any of these three parts of the discretionary social fund in any combination. 3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. 4. The number of people making more than 10 applications is included in the number of people making more than three applications. Source: Scan of social fund computer system

Social Security Benefits: Mental Health

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has asked Professor Malcolm Harrington to consider the effects of debt and debt enforcement on the mental health of benefit claimants and its effect on their capability to work as part of his review of the work capability assessment; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: Professor Harrington's scope is to review the fairness and effectiveness of the work capability assessment (WCA). He has not specifically been asked to consider the effects of debt, particularly on the wider benefit claimant population.

Universal Credit

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what options he is considering for support of child care costs through the proposed universal credit; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: We have announced that support for child care costs will be provided in universal credit by an additional element, and that we aim to extend support to those working fewer than 16 hours. We are still considering what rates to set.
	We recently held productive discussions with MPs, peers and stakeholder groups during the Commons Committee stage of the Welfare Reform Bill. We are considering the advice and suggestions raised in those and have already promised to return to the House with more information when it is ready, and we expect to do this in time for discussion and scrutiny of the Bill in the House of Lords.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Government Food Procurement

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress she has made in developing Government buying standards for food procurement.

Richard Benyon: The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice), announced earlier this month that for the first time the Government had introduced Government buying standards for food and catering services.
	More sustainable food sourcing, healthier food choices, resource efficiency and waste reduction are all covered in these standards.
	The Government are leading by example on sustainable food. GBS are mandatory for central Government Departments and will be promoted to the wider public sector.

Sewerage

Mark Pawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to implement the adoption of private drains and sewers by local water companies.

Richard Benyon: I am pleased to say that the transfer of private sewers and lateral drains to the statutory sewerage undertakers in England will take place on 1 October this year. Regulations to provide for the transfer, involving those sewers and drains that connect to the public sewerage system, will take effect on 1 July and the undertakers will then start the formal notification process. Private sewer owners need take no action to make the transfer happen.

Employment Law

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with (a) officials in her Department, (b) the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and (c) outside organisations on the potential effects of changes arising from the review of employment law on matters within her Department's responsibilities.

Richard Benyon: The review of employment-related laws being co-ordinated by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is a cross-Government initiative.
	All Departments with a responsibility for employment-related law are engaged in the process, and relevant Ministers and officials are in contact with BIS on a regular basis in taking forward the review.
	Departments are engaging with their stakeholders on issues relating to the employment law review in accordance with their standard procedures for consulting formally and informally on policy development.

Departmental Buildings

Jesse Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the address is of each office property occupied by her Department outside Greater London which it (a) owns and (b) rents; what the level of utilisation is of each such property; what the capital value is of each such property it owns; and what the (i) annual rental cost and (ii) length of lease agreement is of each rented property.

Richard Benyon: I have deposited the information requested in the House Library.

Departmental Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of employees of her Department's agencies, categorised by (a) seniority, (b) voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy.

Richard Benyon: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 7 June 2011, Official Report, columns 63-64W.

Departmental Redundancy

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate her Department has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancies in its non-departmental bodies (a) in 2011-12 and (b) over the comprehensive spending review period.

Richard Benyon: holding answer 23 June 2011
	For 2011-12 NDPBs have estimated exit costs of approximately £30 million. Detailed information is not yet available for the remainder of the spending review.

Food: Prices

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking in response to recent trends in food prices.

Caroline Spelman: The Foresight report to the Government's chief scientific adviser on food and farming futures highlighted the need for transparency in global food markets and liberalisation of international trade to address price volatility.
	The Government are committed to promoting better functioning of agricultural markets to help mitigate future price spikes.
	Last week I attended the G20 Agriculture Ministers' meeting, where we agreed measures to increase production and provide the market with better information about supply and demand.
	I wish to see further liberalisation of international trade which, as the Foresight project states, will help dampen price volatility.

Local Government Finance

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much each local authority received from each (a) revenue and (b) capital funding stream from her Department in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how much funding her Department allocated from each such stream in each year; and what the change was in the level of funding in each such stream between those years in (A) cash and (B) real terms.

Richard Benyon: Details of the revenue and capital grants paid by this Department direct to local authorities in 2010-11 and the amounts that have been allocated to local authorities so far in 2011-12 have been placed in the House Libraries.

Offshore Industry: Arctic

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on securing an agreement at global level on a moratorium on drilling for oil or gas in the Arctic Circle.

Charles Hendry: I have been asked to reply.
	Well-supplied oil and gas markets from a diverse range of suppliers are an important foundation for global growth and for the UK’s prosperity. It is the sovereign right of every nation to decide whether to produce resources within its jurisdiction, and we would not press for any agreement to limit this on a geographical basis. We would expect all oil and gas drilling, wherever it is carried out, to be properly regulated and licensed and carried out in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

Peak Oil

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has to address the challenges posed by peak oil.

Richard Benyon: The Government are working domestically and internationally to help investment and price stability in the oil sector. In addition, the Department works closely with the Department for Energy and Climate Change on climate change and energy efficiency policies that will reduce both the UK's carbon emissions and help to ease our demand for oil. Additional areas where my Department is working to address challenges imposed by peak oil are outlined as follows.
	Rural Communities
	We are working closely with DECC to ensure that Government policy benefits rural communities, including initiatives aimed at addressing fuel poverty, improving household energy efficiency and encouraging better take- up of renewable energy options. We are also working with the Office of Fair Trading as it undertakes its review of the off-grid energy market, as a significant proportion of rural households are off the gas grid and rely on heating oil and other relatively expensive forms of heating fuel.
	British Farming
	Under the rural development programme for England, the Government can support actions by farmers to improve their resource efficiency, for example by encouraging the adoption of new technologies and supporting innovative practices in their use of resources derived from oil.

Public Sector: Food

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 16 June 2011, Official Report, columns 77-79WS, on food and catering services (Government Buying Standards), what steps she plans to take to encourage the rest of the public sector to comply with Government buying standards for food and catering services.

James Paice: With the Government buying standards we are setting a credible and workable example of sustainable food procurement that all public sector bodies can follow.
	We are working with major local authority buying organisations in the PR05 group to encourage the voluntary inclusion of Government buying standards into national food and catering procurement, which will enable public sector bodies to achieve cost savings without compromising on quality or sustainability.
	In addition, DEFRA is developing training for catering managers and procurers in the public sector on efficient and sustainable food procurement based around the Government buying standards and using examples of best practice from around the country.
	We believe that local people are best placed to decide what is best in their communities and therefore have published guidance for buyers alongside the standards.

EDUCATION

Adoption

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many placement orders have ended before adoption has been granted by (a) age, (b) ethnicity and (c) gender of the child placed in each year since 2004-05.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 27 June 2011
	The number of children whose placement orders ended before an adoption order was granted, broken down by age, ethnicity and gender is shown in the following table. The number of children who ceased to be looked after while subject to a placement order other than those who were adopted, broken down by age, ethnicity and gender, is also shown in the table. Placement orders were introduced in December 2005. Therefore, the first full year for which this information is available is the year ending 31 March 2007.
	
		
			 Children looked after whose placement order ceased before an adoption order was granted during the year ending 31 March, by age, ethnicity and gender  (1, 2)  . Years ending 31 March 2007 to 2010. Coverage: England 
			 Number 
			  2007  (3) 2008 2009 2010 
			 Children whose placement order ceased and continued to be looked after under a different legal status 10 40 60 80 
			      
			 Age when placement order ceased (years)     
			 Under 1 10 (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			 1 to 4 (5)— 10 10 30 
			 5 to 9 0 10 40 30 
			 10 to 15 (5)— 10 10 10 
			 16 and over 0 (5)— 0 0 
			      
			 Ethnic origin     
			 White 10 30 50 60 
			 Mixed (5)— (5)— (5)— 10 
			 Asian 0 0 (5)— (5)— 
		
	
	
		
			 Black 0 0 (5)— (5)— 
			 Other 0 0 0 (5)— 
			      
			 Gender     
			 Male (5)— 20 40 50 
			 Female 10 20 30 30 
			      
			 Children who ceased to be looked after while subject to a placement order, other than those who were adopted(4) 10 20 40 20 
			      
			 Age on ceasing (years)     
			 Under 1 (5)— (5)— (5)— 0 
			 1 to 4 (5)— 10 30 10 
			 5 to 9 (5)— (5)— 10 10 
			 10 to 15 (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			 16 and over (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			      
			 Ethnic origin     
			 White (5)— 10 40 20 
			 Mixed (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			 Asian 0 0 0 0 
			 Black (5)— 0 10 (5)— 
			 Other 0 0 0 0 
			      
			 Gender     
			 Male (5)— 10 20 10 
			 Female (5)— 10 20 10 
			 (1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. (2) Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements. (3) Figures are low in 2007 as placement orders were introduced in December 2005 and the first full year for which the information is available is the year ending 31 March 2007. (4) This includes children who ceased to be looked after for the following reasons: died, care taken over by another local authority in the UK, returned home to live with parents, residence order granted, special guardianship order granted, moved into independent living arrangement or ceased to be looked after for any other unspecified reason. (5) Figures not shown in order to protect confidentiality. Source: SSDA 903

Children: Protection

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will assess the effect on child protection services in Bolton metropolitan borough of reductions to local authority budgets.

Sarah Teather: It is for local authorities to determine the allocation of their resources and I am sure that in doing so they will be taking into account both their statutory responsibilities and the needs of the most vulnerable children and young people. The Department for Education has not made its own assessment, but I am aware of the research that has been carried out by other organisations. I am pleased that this research suggests that in making difficult decisions most local authorities are taking steps to protect the most vulnerable children.

Children: Protection

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will amend Chapter 4, paragraph 4.59 of the “Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education” document to ensure that supply agencies are obliged to provide to schools and further education colleges direct evidence that the requisite safety checks have been carried out on supply staff prior to an individual taking up their post.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 28 June 2011
	In light of the proposed changes to the vetting and barring scheme and criminal records regime, and subject to the passage of the Protection of Freedoms Bill, the Government will be revisiting the current guidance on recruitment in schools. This will include reviewing the guidance on use of agency and other temporary workers. My Department is giving careful consideration to the issues, including the suggestion that schools and colleges should be provided with direct evidence that checks have been carried out. In our considerations, we will be mindful of the importance of avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy for schools and the recruitment industry.

Education: Arts

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will prepare an impact assessment on the effects of his Department's education reforms on the arts and culture sector.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 27 June 2011
	The organisations within the arts and culture sector are vital partners in achieving cultural education for all children. Our schools White Paper, “The Importance of Teaching”, stated our commitment to ensuring that every child experiences a high-quality cultural education. Following a well-received review of music education earlier this year, Darren Henley, managing director of Classic FM, is currently undertaking a review of cultural education and we expect to receive from him, later this year, recommendations on how best to achieve this.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he plans to publish the terms of reference for the internal review of personal, social, health and economic education, including sex and relationship education announced in his Department’s publication “The Importance of Teaching: the Schools White Paper 2010”; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: I can confirm that we will publish the remit for the personal, social, health and economic review on the Department’s website. The remit for the review is still being considered and further details will be available in due course.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he plans to publish his Department's review of personal, social, health and economic education.

Nick Gibb: When the review of personal, social, health and economic education is launched, we plan to publish the remit on the Department's website.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he expects his Department's review of personal, social, health and economic education to be completed.

Nick Gibb: We will set a deadline to complete the review of personal, social, health and economic education in the remit to be published.

Primary Education: Standards

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the name is of each of the 200 worst performing primary schools in England.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 21 June 2011
	The Department does not intend to publish a list of the 200 worst performing primary schools in England.

Pupils: Disadvantaged

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on ensuring that children in receipt of free school meals are adequately nourished during school holidays.

Nick Gibb: Free school meals are provided to eligible pupils attending school during term time only. When children are not at school, the benefits system should provide support for poorer families to provide sufficient nourishment for their children.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to answer question 60376 on contracts held by his Department, which was tabled on 14 June 2011 for answer on 16 June 2011.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 28 June 2011
	I refer the hon. Lady to the response issued on 27 June 2011, Official Report, columns 572-75W.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Vehicles

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many non-combat vehicles leased or hired by his Department were manufactured in (a) the UK, (b) another EU member state and (c) a country outside the EU.

Peter Luff: Information on the origin of manufacture of vehicles leased to the Ministry of Defence is available only from the contractors in question, and I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as this has been provided. Information on the origin of manufacture of hired vehicles is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Capita

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts his Department has awarded to Capita since May 2010; and what the (a) monetary value and (b) net worth was of each contract.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded five contracts to Capita or its associated companies since May 2010, with the following value ranges:
	
		
			 Contract value banding   (£) Number of contracts 
			 5-10 million 2 
			 100,000-250,000 2 
			 Under 100,000 1 
			 Total contracts 5 
		
	
	This information was taken from the MOD's financial management shared service centre (FMSSC) contracts database as at 31 May 2011.

G4S

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts his Department holds with G4S; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value of each such contract is.

Peter Luff: In the financial year 2010-11, the Ministry of Defence made payments against 11 contracts with G4S or associated companies, in the follow value ranges:
	
		
			 Contract value banding Number of active contracts 
			 £25 to £50 million 1 
			 £1 to £5 million 2 
			 £500,000 to £1 million 2 
			 £100,000 to £250,000 1 
		
	
	
		
			 Under £100,000 5 
			 Total 11 
		
	
	Detailed information on the specific purpose of each contract is not held centrally; I will write to the right hon. Gentleman with further details.

IBM

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts his Department holds with IBM; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value of each such contract is.

Peter Luff: In the financial year 2010-11, the Ministry of Defence made payments against 24 contracts with IBM or associated companies, in the following value ranges:
	
		
			 Contract value banding Number of active contracts 
			 £100 to £250 million 3 
			 £50 to £100 million 1 
			 £25 to £50 million 1 
			 £5 to £10 million 3 
			 £1 to £5 million 7 
			 £250,000 to £500,000 2 
			 £100,000 to £250,000 2 
			 Under £100,000 5 
			 Total 24 
		
	
	Detailed information on the specific purpose of each contract is not held centrally; I will write to the right hon. Gentleman with further details.

Military Aircraft

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Typhoon aircraft were grounded on (a) 23 March, (b) 6 April, (c) 20 April, (d) 4 May, (e) 18 May, (f) 1 June and (g) 15 June 2011 because parts had been removed to keep other aircraft airborne.

Peter Luff: holding answer 28 June 2011
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 30 March 2011, Official Report, column 389W. The three aircraft from the sustainment fleet, which were not available for flying, were used as donor aircraft for spares throughout the dates listed. In addition, one aircraft was declared temporarily unserviceable on 15 June, following the removal of a part to meet urgent operational needs.

Serco

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts his Department holds with Serco; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value of each such contract is.

Peter Luff: In the financial year 2010-11, the Ministry of Defence made payments against 74 contracts with Serco or associated companies, in the following value ranges:
	
		
			 Contract value banding Number of active contracts 
			 Over £500 million 1 
			 £250 to £500 million 1 
			 £100 to £250 million 1 
			 £50 to £100 million 4 
			 £25 to £50 million 7 
			 £10 to £25 million 6 
			 £5 to £10 million 8 
			 £1 to £5 million 8 
			 £500,000 to £1 million 10 
			 £250,000 to £500,000 3 
			 £100,000 to £250,000 7 
			 Under £100,000 18 
			 Total 74 
		
	
	Detailed information on the specific purpose of each contract is not held centrally; I will write to the right hon. Gentleman with further details.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  who the partners in the Taranis project are; and what the timetable is for the project;
	(2)  how many unmanned combat air vehicle projects his Department is engaged in; and with which partners it is so engaged;
	(3)  what progress his Department has made together with its French counterparts on the development of an unmanned combat air vehicle.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is undertaking work on the Taranis technology demonstrator in partnership with a BAE Systems-led industry team comprising Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation. Initial ground-based testing began in 2010 with flight trials scheduled to take place in either 2011 or 2012.
	The Department is also engaged in a further unmanned combat air system (UCAS) concept design and engineering study with a BAE Systems-led team that includes Rolls-Royce and Selex. This will help inform new concept designs for a future operational UCAS.
	Discussions have taken place, and will continue, between MOD officials and their French counterparts about the future development of unmanned combat air vehicles, but these are at a very early stage.

CABINET OFFICE

Civil Service: Pensions

Mary Glindon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2011, Official Report, column 393W, on My Civil Service Pension, how many employees are standing for election to the Employee Partnership Council (EPC); whether trade unions will be represented on the EPC; and when the election results are expected to be announced.

Francis Maude: Thirteen employees stood for election to the Employee Partnership Council. Trade union members and representatives were able to stand for election; 340 members of MyCSP voted and the six successful candidates have now been elected.

Civil Service: Pensions

Mary Glindon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1) , pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2011, Official Report, column 393W, on My Civil Service Pension, how many (a) face-to-face, (b) written, (c) electronic, (d) telephone and (e) other consultations have been undertaken with MyCSP employees; how many employees have been consulted in total; and how many (i) supported, (ii) opposed and (iii) were undecided on the mutual joint venture;
	(2)  when he last consulted (a) MyCSP employees and (b) trade unions on the proposed mutualisation of MyCSP.

Francis Maude: Employee engagement at My Civil Service Pensions has been extensive. All employees have been consulted and open communication is a core part of everyday business. To support local engagement, the chief executive and his leadership team have conducted two rounds of face-to-face roadshows at all locations so far this year. The most recent all-employee conference call was on 21 June. The most recent all-employee newsletter was published on 27 June. Regular engagement with trade unions remains a priority; the most recent meeting was held on 15 June, with another planned for 4 July.

Civil Service: Pensions

Mary Glindon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he expects to announce the private sector partner in the mutual joint venture proposed for the administration of MyCSP.

Francis Maude: I aim to announce the successful joint venture partner before the end of the year.

Life Expectancy: Older People

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average life expectancy was for people aged 65 years living in (a) Dartford constituency and (b) Kent in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the average life expectancy was for people aged 65 years living in (a) Dartford constituency and (b) Kent in the latest period for which figures are available. (63287)
	Life expectancy figures are calculated as three-year rolling averages and are available for all current administrative and health areas. Figures for parliamentary constituencies are not readily available.
	Table 1 as follows provides the period life expectancy at age 65 years for men and women living in (a) Dartford local authority district and (b) Kent county, for 2007-09 (the latest figures available). Ninety-five per cent of the area covered by Dartford parliamentary constituency falls within Dartford local authority district.
	Period life expectancies at birth and at age 65 for males and females in the UK, constituent countries, regions, counties, and local areas, from 1991-93 to 2007-09, are published on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=8841
	
		
			 Table 1: Period life expectancy at age 65  (1)  , Dartford local authority district and Kent county  (2)  , 2007-09  (3) 
			 Years of life 
			 Area Men Women 
			 Dartford 18 19 
			 Kent 18 21 
			 (1) Period life expectancy at age 65 is an estimate of the average number of years a 65 year old would survive if he or she experienced the area's age-specific mortality rates for that time period throughout the rest of his or her life. The figure reflects mortality among those living in the area in each time period, rather than mortality among those born in each area. It is not therefore the number of years a 65 year old living in the area in each time period could actually expect to live, both because the death rates of the area are likely to change in the future and because many of those currently living in the area will live elsewhere for at least some part of their lives. (2) Based on boundaries as of 2010. (3) Three year rolling average, based on deaths registered in each year and mid-year population estimates.

National School of Government

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what courses the National School of Government has offered in the last 12 months; and how many Government officials have completed each such course in that period.

Francis Maude: The National School of Government has delivered 809 events to a domestic audience for the 12 month period from 1 June 2010 to 31 May 2011. These events were attended by 33,254 UK Government officials.
	A copy of the table showing the events that the National School delivered during the 12-month period will be placed in the Library of the House.

HEALTH

Accident and Emergency Departments: Closures

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent guidance his Department has provided to hospital trusts on the closure of accident and emergency departments; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The Department has not issued any recent advice to hospital trusts on the closure of accident and emergency departments. In July 2010, the Department issued guidance setting out how the national health service should assure any proposals for significant service change against the Secretary of State's four tests. This guidance can be obtained from the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Letters andcirculars/Dearcolleagueletters/DH_117899
	A copy has been placed in the Library.

Accident and Emergency Departments: Closures

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS accident and emergency departments closed in each of the last three years; and how many such departments he expects to close in the next 12 months.

Simon Burns: This information is not available centrally. The hon. Gentleman may wish to contact each strategic health authority for the information.

Accident and Emergency Departments: Closures

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department provides to (a) primary care trusts and (b) acute NHS trusts on the provision of suitable alternative provision following the closure of an accident and emergency department; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: It is for national health service commissioners to determine and secure the services necessary to meet the health care needs of their local populations, taking account of local and national priorities. When considering any reconfiguration of accident and emergency services, commissioners should ensure that the public can continue to access high quality care. Any such decisions should also be assured against the Secretary of State's four tests for service change, which are that proposals must demonstrate: support from general practitioner commissioners; strengthened patient and public engagement; a clear clinical evidence base; and support for patient choice.

Accident and Emergency Departments: Closures

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues on the required level of public consultation prior to the closure of accident and emergency departments; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The Department issued guidance entitled “Changing for the better” in 2008 on the process underpinning changes to acute NHS services. This guidance set out that under section 242 of the National Health Service Act 2006, national health service organisations must make arrangements that secure the involvement of people in the planning and development of services. This guidance was strengthened in 2010 through the Secretary of State's four tests, which included the requirement that commissioners must demonstrate evidence of strengthened patient and public engagement. The Secretary of State's tests ensure that service change must demonstrate:
	a clear clinical evidence base underpinning and proposals, which focuses on improved outcomes for patients;
	clear support for proposals from GPs as the commissioners of local services;
	strengthened arrangements for public engagement; and
	support for patient choice.
	When planning involvement activity, commissioners need to think about proportionality and appropriateness. Should commissioners determine that a formal consultation is appropriate, this should follow the Government's code of practice on consultation. Copies of the “Changing for the better” guidance and the Government code of practice on consultation have already been placed in the Library.

Capita

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts his Department has awarded to Capita since May 2010; and what the (a) monetary value and (b) net worth was of each contract.

Simon Burns: The Department has awarded 166 contracts to Capita and its related organisations since May 2010.
	The following table shows the number of contracts and monetary value.
	
		
			 Supplier name Number of purchase orders Purchase order  value (£) 
			 Capita Business Services Ltd 7 348,110.00 
			 Capita Health Solutions Colchester 8 2,959.21 
			 Capita Resourcing Ltd 118 2,065,079.71 
			 Capita Secure Information Systems Ltd 1 2,500.00 
			 Capita SHG Resourcing 11 787,219.10 
			 Capita Symonds Ltd 21 187,743.91 
			 Grand total 166 3,393,611.93 
			 Notes: A purchase order represents an individual contract with Capita.

Information and Communications Technology: Security

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many IT security breaches each NHS trust has reported to his Department in each of the last three years.

Simon Burns: The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. All national health service trusts should systematically record security breaches, but information on these is not collected by the Department or centrally within the NHS.

Malton Hospital

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications of the closure at short notice of operating theatres at Malton hospital.

Simon Burns: NHS Yorkshire and the Humber has advised that on 20 June 2011 Scarborough and North East Yorkshire healthcare NHS trust (SNEY) suspended usage of the operating theatre at Malton community hospital on the grounds of patient safety. This is a matter for the national health service locally, and as such the Department has made no assessment of the implications of this closure. My hon. Friend may wish to approach the chief executive of SNEY for further information.

Malton Hospital

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the level of maintenance of the operating theatres at Malton hospital in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: Maintenance of the operating theatre at Malton community hospital is a matter for the national health service locally. As such, the Department has made no assessment of maintenance levels relating to this facility. My hon. Friend may wish to approach the chief executive of North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust for further information.

Malton Hospital

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the arrangements whereby the facilities at Malton hospital are owned by North Yorkshire and York primary care trust and services are provided by hospital trusts in York and Scarborough; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: Agreements of this nature are a matter for the national health service locally, and as such the Department has made no assessment of the effectiveness of this arrangement. NHS Yorkshire and the Humber has confirmed that Scarborough and North East Yorkshire healthcare NHS trust provides services at Malton community hospital, which is owned by North Yorkshire and York primary care trust. My hon. Friend may wish to approach the chief executive of NHS North Yorkshire and York for further information.

Mental Health Services

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish an implementation plan for his Department's mental health strategy, “No Health without Mental Health”, setting out the steps (a) the Government, (b) commissioners, (c) providers and (d) local authorities will take to deliver improved mental health outcomes for people of all ages.

Paul Burstow: The implementation of the mental health strategy, “No Health Without Mental Health” is being overseen by a ministerial advisory group of which I am chair. The group's papers can be found at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_127788?PageOperation=email
	Commissioners, providers and local authorities are represented on the group and all will actively contribute to the development of the implementation programme plan, which will be published in due course. The group are next scheduled to meet on 5 July 2011.

NHS: Accountability

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to publish guidance on the accountabilities and relationships between the NHS Commissioning Board, commissioning groups and health and wellbeing boards.

Simon Burns: The Department published the response to the NHS Future Forum's report on 21 June 2011, which outlined in greater detail how we anticipate the future landscape of health care to develop. The Department continues to work closely with stakeholders to develop the arrangements of the NHS Commissioning Board, clinical commissioning groups and health and wellbeing boards, and further detail will be available shortly.

Pharmacy

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the role of community pharmacists in the NHS.

Simon Burns: We receive regular correspondence from the public and representative bodies, and questions from Members of both Houses, concerning the roles undertaken by community pharmacists in the national health service to optimise the use of medicines and support public health.

Primary Care Trusts

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the (a) rate of and (b) practice of (i) merger and (ii) transfer of responsibilities between primary care trusts in the last six months.

Simon Burns: As set out in the 2011-12 Operating Framework, the 151 primary care trusts (PCTs) across England have come together to form 51 PCT clusters under single executive teams. These clusters are designed to ensure that the PCTs within them are able to sustain management capacity and capability to deliver their responsibilities while also reducing their administration costs until PCTs are abolished in April 2013, subject to parliamentary approval of the Health and Social Care Bill.
	These new clusters are not statutory bodies and do not replace PCTs, which retain all their statutory responsibilities.
	The Operating Framework for the NHS in England 2011-12 also stipulated that strategic health authorities would oversee the development of PCT clusters and ensure local coherence across the local development of the new architecture.

Primary Care Trusts: North Yorkshire

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who will take ownership of the infrastructure and facilities in North Yorkshire and York currently owned by the primary care trusts after 2013.

Simon Burns: On 6 January 2011, the Department announced that all aspirant community foundation trusts are to be given the opportunity to acquire the primary care trust (PCT)-owned estate required to support the delivery of services for which they have responsibility. Assets are not at this stage being made available to other potential providers. Consideration is being given as to what arrangements should be in place for the future ownership and management of the remainder of the PCT-owned estate.

Psychotherapy

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines on psychotherapy; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: No such assessment has been made. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has not produced a clinical guideline specifically on the use of psychotherapy, although it has made recommendations relating to the use of psychotherapy in several condition-specific clinical guidelines. NICE is an independent body and its guidance is based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and is developed through wide consultation with stakeholders.

Radiotherapy

Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the reasons for the variation in the implementation of intensity-modulated radiation therapy among radiotherapy centres.

Paul Burstow: As with the majority of health services, the commissioning of intensity-modulated radiation treatment (IMRT) is the responsibility of individual trusts, taking into account the needs of local populations.
	“The Operating Framework for the NHS in England 2011-12”, published in December 2010, sets out that to improve outcomes from radiotherapy treatment for cancer patients, commissioners should develop local plans to ensure that access rates to radiotherapy and the use of advanced radiotherapy techniques, such as IMRT, are appropriate for their populations. A copy of the operating framework has already been placed in the Library.
	The National Cancer Action Team is working with providers to support the development of IMRT services and, at this time, 20 of the 28 cancer networks have at least one provider offering IMRT. “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer”, published on 12 January, also set out the commitment to investigate the potential development of a range of tariffs to incentivise high quality, cost-effective services, including the newest radiotherapy techniques, such as IMRT.

Roads: Accidents

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been diagnosed with (a) acute whiplash injury and (b) late whiplash syndrome in each of the last 10 years.

Simon Burns: The information requested is not collected centrally. The Information Centre for Health and Social Care has advised that its data collection codes do not include a dedicated code for whiplash injuries and therefore it is unable to identify these patients.

Smoking: Public Places

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which premises have been granted exemptions from the ban on indoor smoking in public places on the basis that they are a specialist tobacconists used by persons for sampling cigars under the provisions of the Smoke-free (Exemptions and Vehicles) Regulations 2007, (S.I., 2007, No. 765).

Anne Milton: The information requested is not collected centrally and is therefore unavailable. However, the Department understands from the Association of Independent Tobacconists that there are around 45 specialist tobacconist shops in England.

Transplant Surgery

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on elective ventilation as a means of securing organs for transplant; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: In November 2009 the Department published “Legal issues relevant to non-heartbeating organ donation”. A copy has been placed in the Library and it is also available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_109864.pdf
	This document sets out the Department's view of the legal position in relation to interventions taken prior to death to facilitate non-heartbeating donation, now more commonly called donation after circulatory or cardiac death. Any action taken prior to death where the patient lacks capacity must be in their best interests in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Although it is therefore not possible to say categorically whether a specific action or decision will always be in every patient's best interests, anything that places the person at risk of serious harm or distress is unlikely ever to be in the person's best interests.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Prisoners: Voting Rights

Priti Patel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether he has considered the merits of bringing forward amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill to extend the franchise to prisoners;
	(2)  whether he has instructed officials to draft legislation to extend the franchise to prisoners.

Mark Harper: The Government are considering the next steps and will inform the House when decisions on the way forward have been reached.

Prisoners: Voting Rights

Priti Patel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether officials in his Department have discussed prisoner voting rights with officials in the Ministry of Justice since 10 February 2011.

Mark Harper: Yes, officials are in regular contact on this issue.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Capita

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many contracts his Department has awarded to Capita since May 2010; and what the (a) individual monetary value and (b) net worth was of those contracts.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has not awarded any centrally-let contracts to Capita since May 2010.
	To provide information relating to contracts that may have been awarded to Capita by our delegated procurement officers based in overseas locations would incur disproportionate costs.

Developing Countries: Tuberculosis

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when his Department plans to publish the objectives for restricting the spread of tuberculosis referred to in its business plan for 2011 to 2015.

Stephen O'Brien: Combating tuberculosis (TB) is an important part of overall efforts to improve the health of the poor. As outlined in the recently published “UK Aid: Changing Lives, Delivering Results”, the UK Government are committed to reducing unnecessary suffering from TB by supporting global efforts to halve TB deaths by 2015.
	We are committed to reducing the spread of diseases like TB, HIV and malaria, and DFID has therefore produced an HIV position paper, “Towards Zero Infections”, which also sets out our approach to tackling TB/HIV. This is available on DFID's website. We will set out our overarching position on health, including our approach to health systems strengthening, which is critical to addressing TB, later in the year.

Trade Unions

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether any funding from the public purse provided through his Department's strategic grant agreement with the Trades Union Congress was used to fund the Trade Unions and International Health and Safety workbook.

Alan Duncan: Between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2005, the Department for International Development (DFID) provided £416,387 to the Trades Union Congress under the strategy grant agreement. A final report on activities funded by this grant was presented to DFID in June 2006. The report provides a comprehensive description of the activities conducted by the ten unions funded by this grant. There is no reference in the report to funds being used for the Trade Unions and International Health and Safety workbook.

TRANSPORT

Biofuels

Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to promote the use of biofuels.

Norman Baker: The renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) is the primary mechanism in the UK for incentivising the use of biofuels in road transport and has been in place since 2008.
	We have recently concluded a consultation on amending the RTFO to implement the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). The RED requires the UK to source 10% of energy used in transport from renewable sources by 2020 and that biofuels used towards this target meet mandatory sustainability criteria.
	In our consultation we proposed no significant change to the current obligation levels set under the RTFO and to keep under review what additional measures will be required to ensure that the UK delivers the requirements of the RED and FQD in the period 2014 to 2020.
	We are carefully considering responses to our consultation proposals. Subject to that analysis, we hope to consult on possible trajectories for biofuel supply and greenhouse gas savings in spring 2012, with a further consultation on proposed legislative changes in late 2012. These actions would enable the legislative framework for the period 2014 to 2020 to be set in mid 2013.

Employment Law

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with (a) officials in his Department, (b) the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and (c) outside organisations on the potential effects of changes arising from the review of employment law on matters within his Department's responsibilities.

Norman Baker: The review of employment-related laws is being co-ordinated by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and is a cross-Government initiative.
	The Department for Transport is engaged in the process, and relevant Ministers and officials are in contact with BIS on a regular basis in taking forward the review.
	The Department is engaging with stakeholders on issues relating to the employment law review in accordance with the standard procedures for consulting formally and informally on policy development.

Departmental Procurement

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress his Department has made in encouraging small businesses to bid for Government contracts.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has published its plan to increase engagement with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Further information can be found at:
	http://www2.dft.gov.uk/about/procurement/actionsimprovingsmebusiness/pdf/targets.pdf

Departmental Redundancy

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancies in its non-departmental bodies (a) in 2011-12 and (b) over the comprehensive spending review period.

Norman Baker: I refer the right hon. Lady to my answer of 9 May 2011, Official Report, column 950W, to the hon. Member for Garston and Halewood (Maria Eagle).
	In addition, BRB (Residuary) Ltd is estimated to have redundancy costs of around £1 million. Redundancy costs for Passenger Focus for 2011-12 are now estimated at £1.42 million.

Driving Instruction

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the distance from home drivers are required to travel to attend driver awareness courses.

Michael Penning: There is a national framework organised by the police for driver awareness courses, which enables motorists to attend courses near where they live. I strongly support a national framework, although it is for each police force to decide whether to participate. I welcome the choice of the vast majority of English and Welsh police forces to take part and would encourage the few forces that are not yet participating to follow this approach.

Driving Offences: Insurance

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the strategic framework for road safety, by how much his Department proposes to increase the fixed penalty for uninsured driving.

Michael Penning: There is no specific proposal to increase the fixed penalty of £200 issued by the police for using an uninsured vehicle. However, as stated in the strategic framework for road safety, we will consider the level of this along with other motoring offences and fixed penalties. At the same time, we are keen to see the courts make full use of the range of penalties for this offence. We do recognise there is a strong case for better correspondence between penalties and the cost of purchasing insurance.
	A new offence of keeping a vehicle without insurance has recently been introduced. Under the continuous insurance enforcement scheme, keepers of vehicles which appear to be uninsured, but which have no statutory off-road notification in force, will be fined a fixed penalty of £100 by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, with further enforcement action—wheel-clamping, impounding and ultimately prosecution by the courts. The scheme, including the penalty, will be reviewed as part of the post-implementation review.

Driving Offences: Unpaid Fines

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the strategic framework for road safety, what measures his Department is considering for the recovery of unpaid motoring fines.

Michael Penning: The recovery of unpaid motoring fines is the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice.

Driving Under Influence: Drugs

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress his Department has made in its work to establish that driving under the influence of drugs constitutes an offence of driving while impaired; and what progress it has made on research into (a) impairment of and (b) technology for the detection of drugs in drivers.

Michael Penning: There are complex issues associated with the introduction of an additional offence. Preparatory work is at an early stage following the Government's response to the North review on drink and drug driving in March.
	The specification for drug screening kits in police stations has already been published. Field trials for six devices are just being concluded and these will then move to laboratory testing.

Large Goods Vehicles

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of trends in the ratio of actual tonnes to capacity tonnes per kilometre carried for (a) articulated lorries over 33 tonnes and (b) all heavy goods vehicles under 33 tonnes since 1985.

Michael Penning: Statistics on heavy goods vehicle lading factors (the ratio of goods moved to the maximum achievable tonne kilometres) are available on the Department for Transport website. Figures are available from 1999-2009 in Table 1.12 of “Road Freight Statistics 2009” and from 1991-2001 in Table 7 of “Transport of Goods by Road in Great Britain 2001”.
	Statistics prior to 1991 are only available in hardcopy format. A copy of Table 7 in Transport of Goods by Road in Great Britain 1995 is as follows.
	The tables show statistics for rigid and articulated heavy goods vehicles and for different weight groups. However, the specific split for all heavy goods vehicles less than 33 tonnes is not available for this time period.
	An assessment was made in research commissioned by the Department entitled “Longer and/or Longer and Heavier Goods Vehicles (LHVs)—a Study of the Effects if Permitted in the UK”.
	
		
			 Table 7: Proportion of empty running and lading factors  (1)  : by vehicle type: 1985   to 19  95 
			 Vehicle type and size (gvw tonnes) 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 
			 Percentage of empty running            
			 Rigid vehicles            
			 Over 3.5 to 7.5 28.7 28.0 29.3 28.6 27.5 28.5 27.3 26.6 27.8 26.2 28.0 
			 Over 7.5 to 17 29.6 28.3 28.6 28.5 27.7 27.2 27.1 25.9 26.6 26.3 27.3 
			 Over 17 to 25 43.1 42.6 41.8 41.1 39.7 40.1 39.6 39.0 38.5 38.1 38.2 
			 Over 25 44.8 44.7 45.2 44.8 43.7 44.6 43.7 42.4 43.1 42.4 40.7 
			 All rigids 32.2 31.1 31.9 31.5 30.6 30.8 30.1 29.1 30.0 29.1 30.2 
			             
			 Articulated vehicles            
			 Over 3.5 to 33 tonnes 29.3 29.1 29.7 29.0 29.5 28.1 27.1 25.2 26.1 26.7 27.6 
			 Over 33 28.1 28.5 28.7 28.4 28.9 28.4 27.8 27.7 28.6 28.2 28.6 
			 All artics 28.9 28.9 29.3 28.7 29.2 28.3 27.6 27.0 27.9 27.8 28.3 
			 All vehicles 31.0 30.3 30.8 30.4 30.0 29.8 29.1 28.2 29.1 28.5 29.4 
		
	
	
		
			 Lading factor            
			 Rigid vehicles            
			 Over 3.5 to 7.5 0.41 0.38 0.40 0.45 0.42 0.43 0.43 0.40 0.43 0.42 0.44 
			 Over 7.5 to 17 0.49 0.46 0.46 0.49 0.46 0.46 0.44 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 
			 Over 17 to 25 0.76 0.73 0.71 0.72 0.69 0.70 0.68 0,66 0.65 0.65 0.63 
			 Over 25 0.91 0.89 0.90 0.88 0.86 0.88 0.86 0.84 0.82 0.80 0.78 
			 All rigids 0.60 0.57 0.58 0.59 0.57 0.58 0.56 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.56 
			             
			 Articulated vehicles            
			 Over 3.5 to 33 tonnes 0.65 0.61 0.59 0.58 0.56 0.54 0.51 0.48 0.49 0.50 0.49 
			 Over 33 0.76 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.73 0.71 0.70 0.69 0.70 0.69 0.70 
			 All artics 0.69 0.67 0.68 0.68 0.67 0.66 0.65 0.64 0.65 0.65 0.66 
			 All vehicles 0.66 0.63 0.64 0.65 0.64 0.63 0.62 0.61 0.62 0.62 0.63 
			 1 The ratio of the actual goods moved to the maximum tonne-kms achievable if the vehicles, whenever loaded, were loaded to their maximum carrying capacity.

Large Goods Vehicles

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the changes in the average payload of heavy goods vehicles attributable to the introduction of maximum payloads for heavy goods vehicles in (a) 1999 and (b) 2001;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the average payload of heavy goods vehicles in the latest period for which figures are available; and what assessment he has made of trends in average payloads for heavy goods vehicles since 1985.

Michael Penning: Average domestic payloads for British-registered heavy goods vehicles from 1982 to 2009 (the latest year for which figures are available) are shown in the following table. These figures are derived from the Department for Transport Continuing Survey of Road Goods Transport.
	An assessment was made in research commissioned by the Department entitled “Longer and/or Longer and Heavier Goods Vehicles (LHVs)—a Study of the Effects if Permitted in the UK”.
	
		
			 Domestic road freight average payload: 1982   to   2009 
			  Average payload (tonnes) 
			 1982 8.4 
			 1983 8.5 
			 1984 8.5 
			 1985 8.5 
			 1986 8.4 
			 1987 8.8 
			 1988 8.9 
			 1989 8.8 
			 1990 8.8 
			 1991 8.6 
			 1992 8.5 
			 1993 8.8 
			 1994 8.7 
			 1995 9.2 
			 1996 9.1 
			 1997 9.0 
			 1998 9.0 
			 1999 8.9 
			 2000 8.9 
			 2001 9.1 
			 2002 9.2 
			 2003 9.3 
			 2004 9.3 
			 2005 9.5 
			 2006 9.5 
			 2007 9.9 
			 2008 10.1 
			 2009 9.7 
			 Note:  Average annual payload is calculated by total annual tonne-kilometres divided by total annual loaded kilometres.  Source:  Continuing Survey of Road Goods Transport, DfT.

Large Goods Vehicles: Safety

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration his Department has given to the safety equipment to be (a) required and (b) recommended for use on any heavy goods vehicle over 16.5 metres long authorised for use on UK roads.

Michael Penning: Research commissioned by the Department for Transport considered the use of safety equipment, such as steering technology, on articulated lorries combined with semi-trailers over 16.5 metres long. Various options for such equipment were included in the Department's consultation on whether or not to allow an increase in the length of articulated lorries. The Government are now analysing the consultation response and will make an announcement later in the year.

Large Goods Vehicles: Safety

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department will participate in the EU collaborative research project on truck safety.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport has no current plans to participate in an EU collaborative project on truck safety. Careful consideration will be given to any such proposals that would improve road safety in the UK.

Motorcycles: Safety

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken at EU level to encourage the development and deployment of safety technologies for motorcycles.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport part- funded the recently completed EU project, Powered Two Wheeler Integrated Safety (PISa). The aim of this project was to demonstrate the potential of a number of advanced safety systems, such as ‘active’ braking.
	The Department is also satisfied that a proposal from the European Commission to require advanced braking systems on new motorcycles has the potential to prevent a significant number of accidents. We will continue to work with the Commission and other member states to develop the details of the proposal and seek a cost-effective approach to the introduction of these new braking measures.

Ports: Liverpool

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what state aid issues his Department considered in the award of a grant for the construction of the city of Liverpool cruise terminal.

Michael Penning: The main UK grant award for construction of the city of Liverpool cruise terminal was made under the previous Administration by the North West Development Agency, with parallel funding from the European regional development fund. The grant condition precluding the use of the terminal for turnaround cruise was agreed at the request of the Department for Transport, based on considerations of UK domestic competition.

Ports: Liverpool

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria his Department is using to determine the application to use the city of Liverpool cruise terminal for turnaround calls.

Michael Penning: I am considering this request by Liverpool city council based on balancing the interests of potential economic regeneration and those of fair competition in the market for cruise calls.

Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the effect of variations in the price of renewable transport fuel obligation certificates on the sustainability of the diesel industry.

Norman Baker: As part of the Government's measures to address climate change, the renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) ensures a growing proportion of UK road transport fuels are from sustainable renewable sources. The RTFO includes a certificate trading mechanism to increase the efficiency of compliance. The value of individual renewable transport fuel certificates (RTFCs) is determined by the market and depends upon the relative cost of supplying biofuel and fossil fuels. RTFCs for the obligation period 2010-11 have sold at 15p to 24p at auction. We continue to monitor the market value of RTFCs and consider that to date the RTFO has met its objective of driving a market for renewable transport fuels in the UK.

Rescue Services: Manpower

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average length of service is of HM Coastguard staff employed at each Maritime and Coastguard Agency location in Scotland.

Michael Penning: holding answer 23 June 2011
	The information requested is in the following table.
	
		
			 Average number of years in service 
			 MRCC Median 
			 Aberdeen MRCC 10.80 
			 Clyde MRCC 13.43 
			 Forth MRCC 15.98 
			 Shetland MRCC 10.67 
			 Stornoway MRCC 12.23

Roads: Safety

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding his Department will provide to Think! Education in (a) 2010-11 and (b) each financial year of the comprehensive spending review period.

Michael Penning: Think! road safety communications expenditure in 2010-11 was £2.3 million and the budget for each year of the comprehensive spending review period is £3.5 million.

Speed Limits

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the strategic framework for road safety, when he plans to revise and reissue guidance on speed limits in urban areas.

Michael Penning: Revised guidance is planned to be published in six to 12 months’ time. The revision and reissue of the guidance about speed limits may involve consultation and will be co-ordinated with the development of an economic tool to assist local authorities to make robustly defensible decisions about speed limits.

Trade Unions

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Esher and Walton of 17 June 2011, Official Report, column 1024W, on trade unions, what the budget was for (a) his Department, (b) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, (c) the Driving Standards Agency, (d) the Government Car and Despatch Agency, (e) the Highways Agency, (f) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, (g) the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and (h) the Vehicles Certification Agency in 2010-11; and what proportion of the budget in each case was used to fund trade union facility time.

Norman Baker: holding answer 28 June 2011
	For the agencies, the budget or latest forecast expenditures for 2010-11 can be found in the Business Plan publications on their respective websites. For the central Department, they can be found in HM Treasury's website under Main Estimates.
	The cost of funding trade union facility time was the subject of the answer to the hon. Member for Esher and Walton (Mr Raab) of 17 June 2011, Official Report, column 1024W.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan: Human Rights

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) human rights and (b) the rights of women are protected as part of any political settlement in Afghanistan.

William Hague: It is the UK Government's view that to be sustainable and durable, any political settlement in Afghanistan must be inclusive and respect the rights of all Afghan citizens, including women.
	We work closely with our international partners to support the Afghan Government as they work to implement the commitments they made on human rights at the London and Kabul conferences. These include the development of a national priority programme for human rights and civic responsibilities. The UK provides financial support to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and supports a human rights support unit based within the Ministry of Justice.
	UK representatives in Kabul continue to press the Afghan Government to implement their national and international human rights commitments, including the Elimination of Violence Against Women law and the UN Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what recent occasions he has discussed with his US counterpart the transfer of security responsibility to forces in Afghanistan.

William Hague: I am in regular contact with Secretary Clinton about the situation in Afghanistan. I met her most recently during her visit to the UK on 23 May 2011.

Internet

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department has given to UK nationals working overseas as online journalists in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

William Hague: We offer support to British nationals abroad when they get into difficulty. We do not hold specific statistics on support given to UK nationals working overseas as online journalists.

Mediterranean Region: Human Trafficking

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will assess the risk to the health and well-being of irregular migrants presented by unlawful people trafficking over routes across the Mediterranean sea; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Mitchell: I have been asked to respond to this parliamentary question on behalf of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
	Since the onset of violence in Libya, a number of migrant workers have sought to flee areas worst affected by conflict. The UK Government are working closely with partners such as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), who are supporting migrants to be repatriated to their home countries safely. Individuals have their health status assessed by medical teams before their repatriation takes place.
	The majority of people fleeing Libya have been repatriated to their countries of origin, predominantly by the IOM, with UK support. More than 1.1 million people fleeing from Libya had crossed the border into Tunisia and Egypt. As a result of British and other international efforts, fewer than 7,500 people currently remain on both borders.

Sri Lanka: War Crimes

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2011, Official Report, column 156W, on Sri Lanka: war crimes, what monitoring his Department is undertaking to assess progress by the Government of Sri Lanka on addressing allegations of war crimes.

William Hague: Our high commission in Colombo is monitoring developments to assess any progress made, including the Sri Lankan Government's “Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission”. We work closely with the US and other EU missions in doing so, and draw on reports from civil society, the UN and others.
	Since the end of the conflict, the UK has called for an independent, thorough and credible investigation of allegations of war crimes committed during the hostilities. If meaningful reconciliation between Sri Lanka's communities is to take place, Sri Lanka needs to investigate these allegations and hold accountable those responsible for war crimes.

Sudan: Overseas Investment

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to encourage British investment in Sudan and South Sudan.

Jeremy Browne: The British embassy in Khartoum has a small UK Trade and Investment section which responds to inquiries from British companies interested in the Sudanese market. The British Government strongly support the Norway and Turkey initiative to co-host an international investment and engagement conference for Sudan later this year. We also support US plans for a similar conference to promote trade with the South. We are positively engaged with the Sudanese, and as the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs made clear to Sudanese Foreign Minister Karti on 6 June, it is important to see both Sudan and South Sudan emerge at the end of the comprehensive peace agreement as two economically viable states, living in peace and stability. We remain committed to helping both sides make this happen.

Syria: UN Resolutions

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions he has discussed a potential UN Security Council resolution on Syria with his (a) Russian, (b) Chinese and (c) US counterparts.

William Hague: I regularly raise our proposed Security Council resolution on Syria with my counterparts from other members of the United Nations Security Council. The Prime Minister, our ambassadors around the world, the UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York and other officials overseas do likewise.

Turks and Caicos Islands: Corruption

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the final cost of Helen Garlick’s investigation into corruption in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Jeremy Browne: The final cost of the investigation will not be known until it has concluded.

Turks and Caicos Islands: Corruption

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects Helen Garlick’s investigation into corruption in the Turks and Caicos Islands to conclude.

Jeremy Browne: The special investigation and prosecution team (SIPT), led by Helen Garlick, is carrying out an independent investigation. The SIPT continues to make progress, but its activities have to be kept confidential to protect the integrity of the investigation.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Equalities and Human Rights Commission: Finance

John McDonnell: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities whether the spending controls announced by the Cabinet Office on 2 March 2011 apply to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.

Lynne Featherstone: The spending controls announced by the Cabinet Office on 2 March 2011 apply to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. They will be operated consistently with the commission's independence and status as a national human rights institution in the UN system.

Equalities and Human Rights Commission: Public Finance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how much the Equality and Human Rights Commission spent from the public purse on legal fees in respect of support for the claimants in the case of Hall and Preddy v. Bull and Bull; and if she will make a statement.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 28 June 2011
	The Equality and Human Rights Commission (The commission) is an arm's length body; the following is based on information it has provided.
	The cost to the commission of representing the claimants in the case of Hall and Preddy v. Bull and Bull in the county court was £14,520.96.
	The commission's costs to date of the appeal to the Court of Appeal totals £3,852.

Government Equalities Office: Pay

Dominic Raab: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what the salary is of the highest earning official of (a) the Government Equalities Office and (b) the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 15 June 2011
	At 31 March 2011 the salary of the highest earning permanent official at the Government Equalities Office was within the following pay range: £130,000 to £135,000.
	The Equality and Human Rights Commission (The commission) is an arm's length body; the following is based on information it has provided.
	At 31 March 2011 the salary of the highest earning permanent official at the commission was within the following pay range: £130,000 to £135,000.
	The commission also engages 34 interims through employment agencies. They do not receive a salary but are instead paid a daily rate.
	The highest amount paid to an interim member of the commission's staff for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 was £200,813.

Human Trafficking

Peter Bone: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what assessment she has made of the implications for the Government's policy on equalities of the provision of care for (a) adult and (b) child victims of human trafficking.

Lynne Featherstone: The Government are committed to protecting all victims of human trafficking.
	In respect of adults, victims of human trafficking are entitled to support as set out in the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, which includes: accommodation, living expenses, access to counselling and medical treatment, interpretive services and resettlement support. The Government have introduced a new model for funding specialist support for adult victims of trafficking in England and Wales. Victims will receive support in line with the standards of the Council of Europe Convention and tailored to their individual needs. These support services will be equally available to all identified adult victims, regardless of their particular equality and diversity traits, or the type of exploitation they have suffered.
	An equality impact assessment of this change in commissioning model identified primarily positive equality impacts.
	In relation to children, local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure that they safeguard and promote the welfare of all children under section 11 of the Children Act 2004, regardless of their immigration status or nationality. Trafficked children who become looked after have the same entitlement to care services as all other children. Where a child becomes looked after, local authorities must allocate the child a social worker who will assess their needs and draw up a care plan which sets out how the authority intends to respond to the full range of the child's needs. This must take into account the child's wishes and feelings.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Aerospace Industry

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make an assessment of UK competitiveness in the aerospace industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: The UK is one of only a few nations with capability across the entire aircraft product range, with strong positions in the most technologically advanced, high value-added segments. These include the design, manufacture and maintenance repair and overhaul of aero-engines, advanced wings and airframe structures, helicopters, avionics, landing gear, electrical and fuel systems, actuations and interiors. The supply chain comprises some 2,500 companies spread widely throughout the UK.
	The UK has the largest aerospace industry in Europe and the second largest in the world (after USA), with a 17% global market share. It has a turnover of around £22 billion, of which about 70% is exported, which provides access to growing world markets such as China. The sector directly employs around 100,000 highly skilled people and supports a further 122,000 jobs indirectly. Some 36% of employees are educated to degree or equivalent level.
	The Government and the UK aerospace industry are working together, primarily through the Aerospace Business Leaders (chaired by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and Aerospace Growth Partnership (chaired jointly by the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Mr Prisk) and Marcus Bryson, CEO of GKN Aerospace), to see how best the UK aerospace sector can strengthen its competitive position in the global market and maximise the opportunities for growth.

Business: Expenditure

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much small businesses spent on (a) capital projects and (b) innovation in (i) each year since 2005 and (ii) 2011 to date.

David Willetts: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collects information on net capital investment through its annual business survey.
	
		
			 Annual business survey (ABS), small firms, net capital expenditure 
			 £ million 
			  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 
			 Less than 250 registered employees 32,266 33,155 36,440 37,941 32,600 
			 Note: The ABS covers about two-thirds of the UK economy, including production, construction, distribution and service industries. 
		
	
	The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills collects information on innovation through the UK innovation survey. The survey is run every two years and covers innovation behaviour over a three-year period. Businesses are requested to estimate their innovation expenditure data for the final year in the period.
	
		
			 UK innovation survey, small firms (10 to 49 employees), shares of innovation expenditure by activity 
			  Percentage of all small business expenditure 
			 Innovation activity 2006 2008 
			 Internal R&D 19 22 
			 External R&D 4 2 
			 Acquisition of machinery 48 44 
			 Acquisition of knowledge 3 9 
			 Training 9 14 
			 Design 4 4 
			 Market introductions 14 5 
			 Notes: 1. Due to the quality of expenditure data, only proportions of total expenditure by size and activity are published. 2. (b) data for 2011 are not yet available. The most recent data are provided in response to (a) above.

Business: Regulation

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on costs of compliance for (i) micro, (ii) small and (iii) medium-sized businesses.

Mark Prisk: The Better Regulation Executive published a report in November 2010, focusing on the experience of the UK's smallest businesses and summarised the experiences they reported in dealing with the overall regulatory burden. ‘Lightening the Load—The Regulatory Impact on UK's Smallest Businesses’ can be found at:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/better-regulation/docs/l/10-1251-lightening-the-load-regulatory-impact-smallest-businesses.pdf
	No other Government-wide research has been commissioned or evaluated on the costs of compliance for small and medium-sized businesses. However, Government Departments routinely consider the impact of small and medium-sized enterprises complying with regulations when drawing up impact assessments for proposed regulations and carrying out reviews of existing regulations.

Export Credits Guarantee Department

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many projects the Export Credits Guarantee Department has declined to support on the grounds of inadequate social, environmental and human rights screening processes in each of the last five years.

Edward Davey: In the past five years the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) has not supported any projects that did not meet international environmental, social and human rights (ESHR) standards at the time ECGD gave its support, in accordance with its obligations under the OECD Recommendation on Common Approaches on Environment and Officially Supported Export Credits, which regulates the basis upon which export credit agencies address ESHR impacts of the projects they are asked to support.
	ECGD has not refused to support any applications for projects which did not meet international standards; when deficiencies are identified it engages with project sponsors until it is satisfied that the project meets international standards or the application is withdrawn.

Patents: International Co-operation

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2011, Official Report, column 963W, on patents: international cooperation, what the steps are which he has taken to encourage the European Patent Office to pursue work-sharing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Japan Patent Office.

Edward Davey: The Government encourage the European Patent Office's (EPO) work-sharing activities through our seat on the EPO's administrative council. The UK has encouraged the EPO to get involved in foundation project work-sharing schemes with the other four biggest intellectual property offices (the United States, Japan, China and South Korea). In addition to these, the UK has encouraged the EPO's involvement in a number of schemes with USPTO and JPO exclusively:
	JP First, launched in April 2008, in which the Japanese Patent Office (JPO) examines early applications which have also been filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the EPO so that the other offices can make use of the work of the JPO when they examine cases.
	The Triway pilot program, in which the USPTO shares its search results, and search history, with the EPO and the JPO at an early stage, so that they may use them in their own searches.
	Another important international work-sharing scheme is the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH), which allows applicants at a first office to benefit from accelerated processing of their application at a second office in exchange for behaviour which makes processing easier for the second office. The Intellectual Property Office of the UK signed its first PPH agreement with Japan in July 2007 and encouraged the European Patent Office to do likewise. The EPO signed a trilateral PPH agreement with Japan and the US, which came into effect in January 2010.
	While these initiatives are a positive step forward, there remains much work to be done and we continue to encourage the EPO to engage in work-sharing.

Science: Industry

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to increase the competitiveness of the UK life sciences industry.

David Willetts: The Government announced their healthcare and life sciences growth plan in March 2011. The plan builds on the life sciences blueprint and contains a package of measures to strengthen the UK as a location for life sciences.
	In the area of clinical trials and health research, measures include:
	setting up a new Health Research Authority to streamline regulation;
	making funding for providers of NHS services contingent on meeting a 70-day benchmark to recruit first patients for trials;
	building consensus on using e-health record data to create unique opportunities for research in the UK;
	opening up information on clinical research to promote collaboration and innovation, and
	publishing prescribing data at a practice level, subject to an evaluation and impact assessment by the NHS Information Centre.
	To encourage collaboration and innovation in the sector the Government will:
	establish translational research partnerships from its £775 million investment in NHR biomedical research centres and units;
	take actions to remove any barriers that limit the further development of geographical clusters for entrepreneurship and business growth;
	launch a competition to form a cell therapy technology and innovation centre (TIC);
	improve market signalling by bringing companies and educators together to ensure educators provide the skilled individuals the sector needs to grow;
	ensure the intellectual property (IP) system supports life sciences businesses, and
	encourage innovation in NHS procurement, including £10 million investment by the Department of Health in the small business research initiative on health care challenges.
	Sir David Nicholson, chief executive of the NHS, will review how the adoption and diffusion of innovations can be accelerated across the NHS. Sir David will report his findings to the Government by November 2011.
	In social care the Government will:
	improve the take-up of assisted living technology, including an £18 million R&D investment programme through the Technology Strategy Board, and
	strip out regulations that were never meant for the social care market and prevent market entry for small providers and flexible services.
	We are investing in our world-leading research base by:
	protecting the science budget;
	supporting business-led technology innovation through the Technology Strategy Board's strategic programmes, i.e. collaborative R&D programmes in cell therapies and technologies for health, in regenerative medicine, in assisted living, in the detection and identification of infectious agents, and in stratified medicines.
	We are establishing an attractive tax regime to encourage innovative business to invest in the UK through:
	the Patent Box;
	increasing the rate of SME R&D tax relief to 200 per cent in 2011 and 225 per cent in 2012, subject to state aid approval, as well as consulting on proposals to simplify the scheme; and to ensure relief is available when R&D project work is contracted out.
	UK Trade & Investment has identified the life sciences as a priority sector in its recent strategy, Britain Open for Business. UKTI has resources dedicated to the sector supporting both UK companies’ trade activity and encouraging high-value inward investment into the UK.

TheCityUk: Finance

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department (a) has provided and (b) plans to provide funding to the organisation thecityuk.

Edward Davey: Since 2003, the core Department and its predecessors have made only two payments to thecityuk. The first was made in July 2005 for £159 and the second was made in April 2010 for £633. There are no open commitments to provide any further funding.